GOP To Review Havana Syndrome
The Republican chairman of a House intelligence subcommittee is calling on the Trump administration to revisit a controversial Biden-era intelligence assessment that dismissed foreign involvement in the mysterious illnesses widely known as Havana Syndrome.
Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ariz.), a senior member of the House Intelligence Committee, released a statement Thursday reaffirming conclusions reached by congressional investigators and sharply questioning a 2023 intelligence community assessment that said it was “very unlikely” a foreign adversary was responsible for the injuries suffered by U.S. personnel.
Crawford said the assessment failed to meet basic standards of analytic rigor and should be reevaluated in light of new and previously overlooked evidence.
“I continue to stand by my earlier statements that the 2023 intelligence community assessment was developed in a manner inconsistent with established analytic integrity standards,” Crawford said. “I strongly encourage officials within the Executive Branch and the intelligence community to reassess those findings.”
Congressional Findings Clash With Biden-Era Intelligence Review
In an interim staff report released in December 2024, Crawford’s subcommittee directly challenged conclusions reached by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence under the Biden administration, which concluded that foreign adversaries were unlikely to be behind the so-called anomalous health incidents (AHIs).
The House report accused parts of the intelligence community of resisting oversight and minimizing evidence that pointed toward hostile foreign activity.
Crawford said investigators uncovered credible information suggesting that at least some of the incidents may have been caused intentionally by foreign actors — a conclusion he says intelligence officials failed to adequately address.
“I identified reliable evidence indicating that certain anomalous health incidents may be linked to foreign adversary activity,” Crawford wrote in earlier remarks. “Unfortunately, the intelligence community repeatedly attempted to impede our investigation while advancing explanations that do not align with the available facts.”
Havana Syndrome Cases Date Back to 2016
The Havana Syndrome mystery began in 2016, when U.S. Embassy personnel in Havana, Cuba, reported sudden and unexplained medical symptoms. Victims described hearing strange or piercing sounds shortly before experiencing health issues including dizziness, ringing in the ears, head pressure, nausea, balance problems, and cognitive difficulties.
Since then, similar reports have emerged from U.S. diplomats, intelligence officers, and military personnel stationed in multiple countries.
According to the House subcommittee, at least 334 individuals have qualified for anomalous health incident–related medical care through the military health system.
Many of those affected say their symptoms were severe and long-lasting, significantly impacting their ability to work and carry out daily activities.
Oversight Recommendations and Next Steps
Crawford’s report outlined three key recommendations: reform the intelligence community’s analytical process to ensure fact-based conclusions; expand the collection of firsthand accounts and medical data to strengthen future assessments; and establish stronger, permanent medical care protections for those impacted.
Despite pushback from intelligence agencies, Crawford emphasized that congressional oversight efforts are continuing.
“Today, our investigation is moving forward with renewed focus and urgency,” Crawford said. “We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and ensuring that those who have suffered receive answers and appropriate care.”
He added that the committee remains focused on restoring trust, protecting U.S. personnel overseas, and holding government agencies accountable when serious questions remain unanswered.
